Utilities Communications and GIS

OSi have many customers in the utilities and communication sector that use Geographical Information Systems as part of their core day-to-day activities. We don’t think about it much as we sit in our homes, but the management of everyday utilities that we take for granted such as water, electricity, gas, telephone, broadband, TV, recycling and waste treatment is such a complicated task.

The successful delivery of these services is hinged on the smooth running of a complex network of pipes and cables across the country. It is vitally important for the various utilities to know where exactly their assets lie. Using GIS and OSi mapping, these companies have intricate knowledge about all the various aspects of the infrastructure, from cables, pipes, manholes, inspection points and junctions to their employees, vehicles etc.

Service providers rely on GIS to accurately manage their networks so that they can have contingency plans for outages, plans for upgrades and service expansion. GIS can also benefit utilities in managing their customer base (meter readings, customer support, billing etc.) and efficiently communicating with that base in times of outages or service interruptions.

With GIS, real-time data coupled with relevant spatial information can be invaluable for the management of utility and communications companies. These businesses have vast networks of infrastructure and thousands of staff. Advances in remote data access, GIS and GPS technology empowers both management and engineers working in the field to make fast effective decisions thus avoiding/reducing costs while increasing revenue/capacity/service delivery/customer satisfaction and all the while complying with the relevant regulations affecting their activities (environmental, health & safety, statutory etc.).

OSi mapping is at the core of this all ensuring we sitting at home don’t have to worry where our water and electricity is coming from!